Being a public place, the church is more prone to violent attacks and mishaps, so having a ready-to-action security team is necessary from every church's security point of view. However, most churches abstain from having their security system as they perceive that a hefty budget is important for executing such a task. A church security program doesn't have to be complicated and expensive, so one can start by focusing on simple and basic things. One can develop an effective church security system by making low cost small, and meaningful changes. Here we will discuss the crucial factors essential for making a good church security system.
Identify Trained Professionals
Though it gets unnoticed, many churches have trained professionals within the membership. Therefore, churches should identify trained professionals like doctors, nurses, current or former law enforcement officers, and members with military or defense backgrounds within the membership. Identifying such members and engaging them in the work of security improvement can significantly impact the church's security system.
Assign Roles & Responsibilities
Focus on creating a church security team and assign roles and responsibilities to them. Preparation of war is done before the war; likewise, church authorities should also assign roles and responsibilities to the security team members to ensure immediate action in emergencies. Assigning responsibilities beforehand also helps in preventing last-minute fuss and confusion. So the church authorities should carefully distribute responsibilities like calling the emergency numbers, handling media, arranging backups, and public dealing.
Create Single Entrance
During busy days especially Sunday, church authorities should strictly focus on creating a single entrance. All the other entrances should be locked, and the authorities should strictly monitor any unlocked entrances. Lock the exit doors from inside and ensure that all other entrances are inaccessible from outside the church. Creating a single entrance will tighten the security and add an extra layer of protection.
Invest in Two-Way Radios
Two-way radios are the best alternative to spotty cell service and prevent scrambling to locate a list of internal phone numbers. A two-way radio-equipped staff will be quickly able to relay information throughout the church building and campus. Investment in two-way radios is the best investment church authorities can make for improving the church's security system.
Monitor Doors & Parking
Assign an usher or team member the responsibility of cautiously monitoring the unlocked door. Besides, monitoring the parking lot is equally important, so the church authorities should also assign volunteers to the parking lot. And as said above, all the volunteers should be equipped with two-way radios.
Church Security Training Courses
Getting church security team members trained through professional church security training courses will create a hard-to-break church security system. The training will educate the security team members about the possible threats and create quick reflex action among them during emergencies. You can refer to Bearco Training as it is a trusted training firm that provides practical defensive tactical skills and church safety team training to people through online and offline mediums.